God sometimes answers our prayers in marvelous ways, but He does not want us to become preoccupied with the miraculous. That’s why Jesus gently rebuked the noble man who begged Him to come and heal his son (John 4:48). But in response to the father’s repeated appeal He said, “Go your way, your son lives”(v.50). the father came to “believe” on the basis of Jesus’ word alone. The reality of his faith is seen in the fact that he obeyed Christ’s simple command and “he went his way.”

Upon returning home, the nobleman discovered that his son had been healed “at the seventh hour” on the previous day. From his servants he learned exactly what had taken place and when. His son was made well at the same instant that Jesus said, “your son lives” (vv.50-53).

At times we are amazed by God’s perfect timing and miraculous intervention when He answer our prayers. We must be careful, though, not to become so preoccupied with the miracle that we forget the one who performed it. We need to remain focused on Christ, whether a miracle takes place or not.

Sooner or later we will be called upon to trust God as we endure sickness, grief, or disappointment. That’s when “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). – Herb Vander Lugt

Sometimes we see a miracle,
And faith in God revives;
Yet eyes of faith can see God’s hand
At work throughout our lives. – Hess

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, - Romans 8:37

The Bible In One year

Judges 5 – 8

Everybody likes to be a winner, so when we read in Romans 8:37 that we as followers of Christ are “more than conquerors,” we get excited. But what does that phrase mean?

The apostle Paul began Romans 8 by recounting God’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to die to pay the penalty for our sins(vv.1-3). He went on to say that believers also have the help of the Holy Spirit to give us victory over the power of sin in daily life (vv.4- 17)

Paul later talked about Christ’s unfailing love (v.35). some circumstances may make us feel alone and defeated, but in all situations we are conquerors because nothing can “separates us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.39)

When I was a boy in Singapore, I experienced a particularly harsh punishment. I was forced to kneel on the thorny skin of a durian (a large Asian Fruit). I become angry, and bitterness consumed me. But when I learned of God’s love for me and I put my faith in Christ, He not only forgave my sin but taught me to forgive others. No longer was I imprisoned by my sin or anger. I began to discover that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v.37).

Because of Christ and His unfailing love for us, we are winners! – Albert Lee

Although this life will bring us pain,

Our faith in Christ can help us see

That if we will obey His Word

He’ll give us joy and victory. – Sper

Think less of the power of things over you and more of the power of Christ in you.

To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. – Romans 8:6

The Bible In One year

Judges 1 – 4

At a banquet for an academic society, I sat next to a world-renowned scholar. I knew he was admired globally for the books he had written and for his lectures. I also knew that for years he had been struggling with depression. He told me that he was dependent on medication and counseling to keep him going. Then he said, “But Jesus Christ gives me a reason for living.” Those words are etched in my memory.

Whether we are afflicted physically or distressed emotionally, or if we are robustly healthy in body and mind, we all need a reason for living. If we are merely existing from day to day, we understand what Shakespeare meant when he wrote that our lives can be like “an idiot’s tales, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

In the midst of our frantic activity we occasionally become aware that a part from a life of faith in Christ there is no eternal purpose for what we are doing. Our busyness keeps us from facing the fact threat everything’s we do adds up to zero – unless we believe what the apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live in Christ, and to die is gain”(Phil. 1:21).

Is that your testimony? Are you experiencing in Jesus Christ a life that is really worth living? – Vernon Grounds

I’m limited,” you say. You are frustrated by the cramping restrictions of age, illness, a difficult child, or an uncooperative spouse. Perhaps you are housebound or bedridden and feel you have no place to serve.

Your limited place need not limit you. Embrace it as a place to grow. Don’t worry about what people around you may think. God sees what is done “in secret” and He will reward you in due time (Matt. 6:18)

In fact, our restriction are part of God’s plan to mature us – to draw us away from our preoccupation with being seen and heard by others. if we pray, give, or fast to increase other estimation of us, we will miss God’s blessing. If we are concerned about enhancing our reputation, we lose the good that God has promised to give us.

God always rewards hidden spirituality. he hears every private prayer; He recognizes every secret gift; He notes and richly rewards each unseen act of devotion. You will be strengthened, and the Lord will make you all that He want you to be.

The bottom line is this: the things that are done for God’s eyes are the things that matter. So, settle into that secret place where God alone sees and knows. – David Roper.

Because my daughter is a flight attendant, I am blessed with a parent’s pass for my personal use. For a small service charge, I may fly wherever the airline flies. There’s one drawback, however. I must be on “standby.” That means I’m allowed on board only if there’s space available. Until then, my luggage is set aside and labeled “Status Pending.” While the paying passengers board, I must wait, wondering if my name will be called. I can never be certain of a seat because available space isn’t guaranteed.

It’s a far different situation on our journey to heaven, which begins when we trust Christ for our salvation. Because of His death and resurrection, our passage to heaven is absolutely guaranteed. Our status is not pending; there is space available; our names will be called. These priceless privileges have been paid for in full by the sacrificial death of Jesus.

If, like Thomas in John 14:5, you sometimes wonder if and how Jesus will get you to heaven, trust in His promise, “I go to prepare a place for you… And I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (vv.2-3). That’s His unfailing word. You can count on it! – Joanie Yoder

Affirmations are one of the most important elements of creative visualization. To affirm means “to make firm.” An affirmation is strong, positive statement that something is already so. It is a way of “making firm” that which you are imaging.

Most of us are aware of the fact that we have a nearly continuous inner “dialogue” going on in our minds. The mind is busy “talking” to itself, keeping up and endless commentary about life, the world, our feelings, our problems, and other people.

The words and ideas that run through our minds are very important. Most of the time we aren’t consciously aware of this stream of thoughts, and yet what we are “telling ourselves” in our minds is the basic on which we form our experience of reality. Our mental commentary influences and colors our feelings and perceptions about what’s going on in our lives and it is these thought forms that ultimately attract and create everything that happens to us.

Anyone who has practiced meditation knows how difficult it can be to quiet this inner “mind talk,” in order to connect with our deeper, wiser intuitive mind. One traditional meditation practice involves simply observing the inner dialogue as objectively as possible.

This is a very valuable experience, as it allows you to become consciously aware of the content of your thoughts. Many of these thoughts are like tape recording of old patterns we’ve had all our lives. They are old “programming” we picked up long ago, which is still influencing what’s happening to us today. For example, we might find that we habitually think self-defeating thoughts such as, “I’m not going to be able to do this,” or “This is never going to work out right.”

The practice of engaging in affirmations allows us to begin replacing some of our stale, worn out, or negative mind chatter with more positive ideas and concepts. It is a powerful technique, one which can in a short time transform many of our attitudes and expectations about life, and thereby help to change what we create for ourselves.

Affirmations can be done silently, spoken aloud, written down, or even sung or chanted. Even ten minutes a day of repeating effective affirmations can counterbalance years of old mental habits. If you become aware that you are repeating habitual negative thought patterns or attitudes, try saying an affirmation to your self a few times right then and there.

For example, if you find yourself thinking, “Oh, what’s the use, I’ll never get what I want,” you might say to yourself, “I have the ability to create what I want in my life” or “I deserve to be happy and fulfilled.”

An affirmation can be any positive statement. It can be very general or very specific. There are an infinite number of possible affirmation; here are a few just to give you some ideas:

Every day in every way I’m getting better and better,

Everything I need is coming to me easily and effortlessly.

My life is blossoming to total perfection.

I have everything I need to enjoy my here and now.

I am the master of my life.

Everything I need is already within me.

Perfect wisdom is in my heart.

I am whole and complete in myself.

I love and appreciate myself just as I am.

I accept all my feelings as part of me.

I love to love and be loved.

The more I love myself, the more love I have to give others.

I now give and receive love freely.

I am now attracting loving, satisfying relationships into my life.

My relationship with __________is growing

Happier and more fulfilling everyday.

I now have a satisfying, well – paying job.

I love doing my work, and I am richly rewarded, creatively and financially.

I am an open channel of creative energy.

I am dynamically self expressive.

I enjoy relaxing and having fun.

I communicate clearly and effectively.

I no have enough time, energy, wisdom, and money to accomplish all my desires.

I am always in the right place at the right time,

Successfully engaged in the right activity.

It’s okay for me to have everything I want!

This is an abundant universe and there’s plenty for all of us.

Abundance is my natural state of being.

Every day I am growing more financially prosperous.

The more I have, the more I have to give.

The more I give, the more I receive, and the happier I feel.

It’s okay for me to have fun and enjoy myself, and I do!

I am relaxed and centered. I have plenty of time

For everything.

I am now enjoying everything I do.

I feel happy just being alive.

I am healthy and beautiful!

I am open to receiving all the blessings

Of the abundant universe!

____________is coming to me, easily and effortlessly.

I have a wonderful job with wonderful pay.

I do a wonderful service in a wonderful way.

The light within me is creating miracles in my life here and now

All thins are now working together for good in my life.

I am now attuned to my higher purpose in life.

I now recognize, accept, and follow the divine plan of my life

As it is revealed to me step by step.

I give thanks now for my life of health, happiness, and self expression.

Here are some important things to remember about affirmations:

Always phrase affirmations in the present tense, not in the future. It’s important to create your desire as if it already exists. Don’t say, “I will get a wonderful new job,” but rather, “I now have a wonderful new job.” This is not lying to your self; it is acknowledging the fact everything is created first on the inner plane, before it can manifest in external reality.

Always phrase affirmations in the most positive way you can. Affirm what you do want, now what you don’t want. Don’t say, “I no longer oversleep in the mornig” but rather, “I now wake up on time and full of energy in the morning.” This ensures that you are creating the most positive mental image.

At certain times you can find it helpful to phrase affirmations, especially when you are working on clearing out specific emotional blocks or bad habits, such as, “I don’t need to get tense in order to get things accomplished.” If so, you should always follow this type of affirmation with a positive one, which describes that which you desire to create, such as, “I now stay deeply relaxed and centered, and everything is accomplished easily and effortlessly.”

In general, the shorter and simple the affirmations, the more effective. An affirmation should be a clear statement that conveys a strong feeling; the more feeling it conveys, the stronger impression it makes on your mind. Affirmations that are long, wordy, and theoretical lose their emotional impact and become too mental.

Always choose affirmations that feel totally right for you. What works for one person may not work at all for another. An affirmation should feel positive, expansive, freeing, and/ or supportive. If it doesn’t, find another one, or try changing the words until it feels right.

Of course, you may feel emotional resistance to any affirmation when you first use it, especially one which is really powerful for you and is going to make a real change in your consciousness. That is simply our natural fear for change and growth.

Always remember that you are creating something new and fresh. You are not trying to redo or change what already exists. To do so would be to resist what is, which creates conflict and struggle. Take the attitude that you are accepting and handling whatever already exists in your life, and at the same time taking every moment as a new opportunity to begin creating exactly what you desire and will make you happiest.

Affirmations are not meant to contradict or change your feelings or emotions. It is important to accept and experience all your feelings, including so called “negative” ones, without attempting to change them. At the same time, affirmations can help you create a new point of view about life that will enable you to have more and more satisfying experiences from now on.

Try as much as possible to create a feeling of belief, and experience that your affirmation can be true. Temporarily (at least for a few minutes)suspend your doubts and hesitations, and put your full mental and emotional energy into them

If doubts, resistance, or negative thoughts are getting in the way of doing your affirmations, do one of the clearing processes or the writing affirmations process given.

Rather than saying affirmations by rote, try to get the feeling that you really have the power to create that reality(which in fact you do!). This will make a big difference in how effective they are.

Affirmations can be used alone, or in combinations with visualizations or imaging. It’s very effective to include affirmations as of your regular creative visualization meditation periods. Later I give you ideas for many other way to use affirmations.

For many people, affirmations are most powerful and inspiring when they include references to a spiritual source. Mention of God, the Goddess, the Universe, a higher power, spirit, the Earth Mother, divine love, or whatever phrase you prefer adds spiritual energy to your affirmation and acknowledges the universal source of all thins.

Here are some examples:

I have the infinite creative power of the Goddess within me.

Divine love is working through me here and now to create this.

The Christ within me is creating miracle in my life here and now

I am one with the Great Spirit.

My higher self is guiding me in everything that I do.

God lives within me and manifests in the world though me.

I give thanks to Mother Earth for nurturing and sustaining me every day.

The light of God surrounds me, the love of God enfolds me, the power of God flows though me. Wherever I am, God is, and all is well.

Don’t fear that the power of creative visualization can be used for harmful ends. Creative visualization is a means of unblocking or dissolving the barriers we ourselves have created to the naturally harmonious, abundant, and loving flow of the universe. It is only truly effective when it is used in alignment with our highest goals and purposes, for the highest good of all beings.

If someone should harmful or destructively selfish end, that person would only be demonstrating his or her ignorance of the law of karma. This is the same basic principle as the law of radiation and attraction, “As you sow, so shall you reap.” Whatever you try to create for another will always boomerang back to you. That includes both loving, helpful, or healing actions and negative, destructive ones. This means, of course, that the more you use creative visualization to love and serve others’ as well as your own highest ends, the more love, happiness, and success will just naturally find their way to you.

Just to make sure that you are aware of this, it’s a good idea to add the following phrase to any creative visualization process you do:

This, or something better,

Now manifests for me

In totally satisfying and harmonious ways,

For the highest good of all concerned.

As an example, if you are visualizing getting a job promotion, don’t envision the person above you being fired, but imagine him or her moving on to other, better things or a better, more fulfilling job, so that it works out for the good of all. You don’t need to understand or figure out how that will happen, or try to decide what is the best way it could work; simply assume that it is working out for the best, and let universal intelligence take care of the details.

Decide on something you would like to have, work toward, realize, or create. It can be on any level – a job, a house, a relationship, a change in yourself, increased prosperity, a happier state of mind, improved health, beauty, a better physical condition, solving a problem in your family or community, or whatever.

At first, choose goals that are fairly easy for you to believe in, that you fell are possible to realize in the fairly near future. That way you won’t have to deal with too much negative resistance in yourself, and you can maximize your feelings of success as you are learning creative visualization. Later, when you have more practice, you can take on more difficult or challenging problems and issues.

Create a Clear Idea or Picture

Create an idea, a mental picture, or a feeling of the object or situation exactly as you want it. You should think of it in the present tense as already existing the way you want it to be. Imagine yourself in the situation as you desire it, now. Include as many details as you can.

You may wish to make an actual physical picture of it as well, by making a treasure map. This is an optional step, not at all necessary, but often helpful (and fun!).

Focus on It Often

Bring your idea or mental picture to mind often, both in quiet meditation periods, and also casually throughout the day when you happen to think of it. In this way it becomes an integrated part of your life, and it becomes more of a reality for you.

Focus on it clearly, yet in a light, relaxed way. It’s important not to feel like you are striving to hard for it or putting an excessive amount of energy into it – that tends to hinder rather than help.

Give It Positive Energy

As you focus on your goal. Think about it in a positive, encouraging way. Make strong positive statements to yourself: that it exists; that it has come or is now coming to you. See yourself receiving or achieving it. These positive statements are called Affirmations. “While you use affirmations, try to temporarily suspend any doubts or disbelief you may have at least for the moment, and practice getting the feeling that which you desire is very real and possible.

Continue to work with this process until you achieve your goal, or no longer have the desire to do so. Remember that goals often change before they are realized, which is a perfectly natural part of the human process of change and growth. So don’t try to prolong it any longer than you have energy for it – if you lose interest it may mean that it’s time for a new look at what you want.

If you find that a goal has changed for you, be sure to acknowledge that to your self. Get clear in your mind the fact that you are no longer focusing on your previous goal. End the cycle of the old, and begin the cycle of the new. This helps you avoid getting confused, or feeling that you’ve “failed” when you have simply changed.

When you achieve a goal, be sure to acknowledge consciously to yourself that it has been completed. Often we achieve things that we have been desiring and visualizing, and we forget to even notice that we have succeeded! So give yourself some appreciation and a pat on the back, and be sure to thank the universe for fulfilling your requests.

Occasionally a person has completely blocked his ability to visualize or imagine at will and feels that he simply can't do it. This type of block usually arises from a fear and it can be worked through if the person who experiences the difficulty desires to solve the problem.

Usually a person blocks his ability to use creative visualization out of a fear of what he may encounter by looking inside himself fear of his own unacknowledged feelings and emotions.

For example, a man in one of my classes was consistently unable to visualize, and kept falling asleep during the meditations. It turned out that he had once had a profoundly emotional experience during a visualization process, and he was afraid he would be embarrassed by becoming emotional in front of others.

A woman client of mine had difficulty visualizing until she went through therapy and was able to get in touch with, experience, and release painful feelings that she had buried inside since childhood.

The truth is that there is nothing within us that can hurts us; it is only our fear of experiencing our own feelings that can keep us trapped.

If anything unusual or unexpected arises during meditation, the best thing is simply to look at it fully, be with it and experience it as much as you can, and you will find that it eventually will lose and negative power over you. Our fears arise form things we don't confront. Once we are willing to look fully and deeply at the source of a fear, it loses its power. If we feel overwhelmed, it can be very helpful to get support from a good counselor or therapist who can help us accept and express our feelings. This is especially important if we've had a lot of pain or trauma in our lives.

Fortunately, problems with visualization are relatively rare. As a rule, creative visualization comes naturally, and the more you practice it, the easier it becomes. If visualization is difficult for you, you may find that saying affirmations is easier and more effective.

Many people wonder exactly what is meant by term "visualize" some worry because they don't actually "see" a mental picture or image when they close their eyes and try to visualize. When some people first try to visualize, they feel that "nothing is happening" usually, they are simply blocking themselves by trying too hard. They may be feeling that there's a right way to do this, and that their own experience is incorrect or inadequate. If this how you feel, you need to stop worrying, relax, and accept what happens naturally for you.

Don't get stuck on the term "visualize" it is not all necessary to mentally see an image. Some people say they see very clear, sharp images when they close their eyes and imagine something. Other don't really see anything; they sense or feel it, or they just sort of think about it. That's perfectly fine. some people are more visually oriented, some are auditory, others are more kinesthetic. We all use or imagination constatly it's impossible not to, so whatever process you find yourself doing when you imagine fine.

If you still don't fell sure what it means to visualize, read through each of these exercises, then close your eyes and see what comes naturally to you;:

Close your eyes and relax deeply. Think of some familiar room such as your bedroom or living room. Remember some familiar details of it, such as the color of the carpet, the way the furniture is arranged, how bright or dark it is. Imagine yourself walking into the room and sitting or lying down on a comfortable chair, couch, or bed.

now recall some pleasant experience you have had in the last few days, especially one involving good physical sensations such as eating a delicious meal, receiving a massage, swimming in cool water, or making love. Remember the experience as vividly as possible, and enjoy pleasurable sensations once again.

Now imagine that you are in some idyllic country setting, perhaps relaxing on soft green grass beside a cool river, or wandering through a beautiful, lush forest. It can be a place that you have been, or an ideal place where you would like to go. Think of the details, and create it any way you would like it to be.

Whatever process you used to bring these scenes to your mind is your way of visualizing.

There are actually two different mode involve in creative visualization. One is receptive, the other is active. In the receptive mode we simply relax and allow images or impressions to come to us without choosing the details of them; we take what comes. in the active mode we consciously chose and create what we wish to see or imagine. Both these processes are an important part of creative visualization, and both your recptive and active abilities will be strengthened through practice.

It's important to relax deeply when you are first learning to use creative visualization. When your body and mind are deeply relax, your brain wave pattern actually changes and becomes slower. This deeper, slower level is commonly called the alpha level(while your usual busy waking consciousness is called the beta level), and much research is being done on its effects.

The alpha level has been found to be a very healthful state of consciousness, because of its relaxing effect on mind and body. And, interestingly enough, it has been found to be far more effective than the more active beta level in creating real changes in the so called objective world, through the use of visualization. What this means for our practical purposes is that if you learn to relax deeply and do creative visualization, you may be able to make far more effective changes in your live than you would be thinking, worrying, planning, and trying to manipulate things and people.

If you have any particular way that you are accustomed to relaxing deeply or entering a quiet, meditative state, by all means use that method. Otherwise you may wish to continue using the method. Breathing slowly and deeply, relaxing each muscle in your body in turn, and counting down from ten to one slowly. If you have any trouble physically relaxing, you might want to seek instruction in yoga, meditation, or stress reduction, which will be helpful in this regard. Of course, a side benefit of all of this is that you will find deep relaxation healthful and beneficial mentally, emotionally, and physically.

It is especially good to do creative visualization at night just before at those times the mind and body are already deeply relaxed and receptive. You might like to do it while lying in bed, but if you tend to fall asleep, it's best to sit up on the edge of the bed or in a chair in a comfortable position, with your spine straight and balanced. Having your spine straight helps the energy flow and makes it easier to get a deep alpha wave pattern.

If it's possible for you, a short period of meditation and creative visualization done at midday will relax and renew you, and cause your day to flow more smoothly.

A simple exercise in Creative visualizationHer is an exercise in the basic technique of creative visualization

First think of something you would like. For this exercise choose something simple, that you can easily imagine attaining. It might be an object you would like to have, an event you would like to happen, a situation in which you'd like to find yourself, or some circumstance in your life you'd like to improve.

Get in a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Relax your body completely. Starting from your toes moving up to your scalp, think of relaxing each muscle in your body in turn, letting all tension flow out of your body. Breathe deeply and slowly, from your belly. Count don slowly from ten to one, feeling yourself getting more deeply relaxed with each count.

When you fell deeply relaxed, start to imagine the thing you want exactly as you would like it. If it is an object, imagine yourself with the object, using it, admiring it, enjoying it, showing it to friends, If it is a situation or event, imagine yourself their and everything happening just as you want it to. You may imagine what people are saying, or any details that make it more real to you.

You may take a relatively short time or quite a few minutes to imagine this - whatever feels best to you. have fun with it. It should be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, like a child day dreaming about what he wants for his birthday.

Now, keeping the idea or image still in your mind, mentally make some very positive, affirmative statement to yourself ( aloud or silently, as you prefer) about it, such as:

Here I am spending a wonderful weekend in the mountains.

What a beautiful vacation.

or

I love the view from my spacious, new apartment.

or

I'm learning to love and accept myself as I am.

These positive statement, called affirmations, are a very important part of creative visualization.

If you like, you can end your visualization with the firm statement to yourself:

This, or something better,

now manifests for me

in totally satisfying and harmonious ways,

for the highest good of all concerned.

This statement leaves room for something different and even better than you had originally envisioned happening, and serve as a reminder to you that this process only functions for the mutual benefit of all.

If doubts or contradictory thoughts arise, don't resist them or try to prevent them. This will tend to give them a power they don't otherwise have. Just let them flow through your consciousness, acknowledge them, and return to your positive statements and images.

Do this process only as long as you find it enjoyable and interesting. It could be five minutes or half an hour. Repeat every day, or as often as you can.

As you see, the basic process is relatively simple. Using it really effectively, however, usually requires some understanding and refinement.

In order to understand how creative visualization works, it's useful to look at several interrelated principle:

the Physical Universe is Energy

the scientific word is beginning to discover what metaphysical and spiritual teacher have known for centuries. Our physical universe is not really composed of any matter at all its basic compunent is a kind of force or essence that we call energy.

Things appear to be solid and separate from one another on the level at which our physical senses normally perceive them. On finer levels, however atomic and subatomic levels, seemingly solid matter is seen as smaller and smaller particles within particles, which eventually turn out to be just pure energy.

Physically, we are all energy, and everything within and around us is made up of energy. We are all part of one great energy field. Things that we perceive to be solid and separate are in reality just various forms of our essential energy which is common to all. We are all one, even in a literal, physical sense.

The energy is vibrating at different rates of speed, and thus has different qualities, from finer to denser. Thought is a relatively fine, light form of energy and therefore very quick and easy to change. Matter is relatively dense, compact energy, and therefore slower to move and change. Within matter there is great variation as well. Living flesh is relatively fine, changes quickly, and is easily affected by many things. A rock is a much denser form, slower to change, and more difficult to affect. Yet even rock is eventually changed and affected by the fine, light energy of water, for example. all forms of energy are interrelated and can affect one another.

Energy is Magnetic

One law of energy is this: Energy of a certain quality or vibration tends to attract energy of a similar quality and vibration.

Thoughts and feelings have their own magnetic energy that attracts energy of a similar nature. We can see this principle at work, for instance, when we accidentally run into someone we've just been thinking of, or happen to pick up a book that contains exactly the perfect information we need at that moment.

Form Follow Idea

Though is a quick, light, mobile form of energy. It manifests instantaneously, unlike the denser forms such as matter.

When we create something, we always create it first in thought form. A thought or idea always precedes manifestation. I think I'll make dinner is the idea that precedes creation of a meal. I want a new dress precedes going and buying one I need a job precedes finding one, and so on.

An artist first has an idea or inspiration, then creates a painting. A builder first has a design, then builds a house.

Th same principle holds true even if we do not take direct physical action to manifest our ideas. Simply having an idea or thought, holding it in your mind, is an energy that will tend to attract and create that form on the material plane. if you constantly think of illness, you may eventually become ill; if you believe yourself to be beautiful, you become so. Unconscious ideas and feelings held inside of us operate in the same way.

The Law of Radiation and attraction

This is the principle that whatever you put out into the universe will be reflected back to you. as you sow so shall you reap

What this means from a practical stand point is that we always attract into our lives whatever we think about the most, believe in most strongly, expect on the deepest levels, and/ or imagine most vividly.

When we are negative and fearful, insecure or anxious, we often attract the very experiences, situations, or people that we are seeking to avoid. If we are basically positive in attitude, expecting and envisioning pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness, we tend to attract and create people, situations and events that conform to our positive expectations. so, consciously imagining what we want can help us to manifest it our lives.

Using Creative Visualization

The process of change does not occur on superficial levels, through mere positive thinking. It involves exploring discovering, and changing our deepest, most basic attitudes toward life. that is why learning to use creative visualization can become an experience of deep and meaningful growth. in the process we often discover ways in which we have been holding ourselves back, blocking ourselves from achieving satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives through our fears and unconscious beliefs. once seen clearly, these limiting attitudes can often be dissolved through the creative visualization process, leaving space for us to find and live a natural state of greater happiness, fulfillment and love...

At first you may practice creative visualization at specific times and for specific goals. As you get more in the habit of using it, and begin to trust the results it can bring you, you will find that it becomes and integral part of your thinking process. It becomes a continuous awareness, a state of consciousness in which you know that you are the constant creator of your life.

That is the ultimate point of creative visualization to make every moment of our lives a moment of wondrous creation, in which we are just naturally choosing the best, the most beautiful, the most fulfilling lives e can imagine...

What is Creative VisualizationCreative visualization is the technique of using your imagination to create what you want in your life. There is nothing at all new, strange, or unusual about creative visualization. You are already using it every day, every minute in fact. It is your natural power of imagination, the basic creative energy of the universe, which you use constantly, whether or not you are aware of it.

In the past, many of us have used our power of creative visualization in a relatively unconscious way. Because of our won deep seated negative concepts about life, we have automatically and unconsciously expected and imagine lack, limitation, difficulties, and problems to be our lot in life. To one degree or another that is what we have created for ourselves.

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful.Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart truly desires must come to you.

The use of creative visualization gives us a key to tap into the natural goodness and bounty of life.

Imagination is the ability to crate an idea, a mental picture, or a feeling sense of something. In creative visualization you use your imagination to create a clear image, idea, or feeling of something you wish to manifest. Then you continue to focus on the idea, feeling, or picture regularly, giving it positive energy until it becomes objective reality.. in other words, until you actually achieve what you have been imagining.

Your goal may be on any level - physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. You might imagine yourself with a new home, or with a new job, or having a satisfying relationship, or feeling calm and serene, or perhaps with an improve memory and learning ability or you might picture yourself handling a difficult situation effortlessly, or simply see yourself as a radiant being, filled with life energy. You can work on any level, and all will have results... through experience you will find the particular images and techniques that work best for you.

For example, that you are feeling unsatisfied in your current job situation. If you feel that the job is basically right for you but there are factors that need improvement, you could begin by imagining the improvements that you desire. If that doesn't work, or if you feel that you would prefer a new job, then focus on imagining yourself in the employment situation that you desire.

Either way, the technique is basically the same. After relaxing into a deep, quiet, meditative state of mind, imagine that you are working in your ideal job situation. Imagine yourself in the physical setting or environment that you would like, doing work that you enjoy and find satisfying, interacting with people in a harmonious way, receiving appreciation and appropriate financial compensation. Add any other details that are important for you, such as the hours you work, the amount of autonomy and or responsibility you have, and so on. Try to get a feeling in yourself that this is possible; experience it as if it were already happening. In short, imagine it exactly the way you'd like it to be, as if it were already so!

Repeat this short, simple exercise often, perhaps twice a day, or whenever you think about it. If your desire and intention to make a change are clear, chances are good that you may find some type of shift taking place in your work, fairly soon.

To use creative visualization it is not necessary to believe in any metaphysical or spiritual ideas, though you must be willing to entertain certain concepts as being possible. It is not necessary to have faith in any power outside yourself.

The only thing necessary is that you have the desire to enrich your knowledge and experience, and an open enough mind to try something new in a positive spirit.

Study the principles, try the techniques with an open mind and heart, and then judge for yourself whether they are useful to you.

If so continue using and developing them, and soon the changes in yourself and your life will probably exceed anything you could have originally dreamed of...

Creative visualization is magic in the truest and highest meaning of the word. It involves understanding and aligning yourself with the natural principles that govern the workings of our universe, and learning to use these principles in the most conscious and creative way.

If you had never seen a gorgeous flower or a spectacular sunset before, and someone described one to you, you might consider it to be a miraculous thing. once you saw a few yourself, and began to learn something about the natural laws involved, you would begin to understand how they are formed and it would seen natural to you and not particularly mysterious.

The same is true of the process of creative visualization. What at first might seem amazing or impossible to the very limited type of education our rational minds have receive, becomes perfectly understandable once we learn and practice with the underlying concepts involved. once you do so, it may seem that you are working miracles in your life... and you truly will be!

Thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Bible In One year

Joshua 16 – 18

One of the most dreaded sentence a patient can hear is, “You have cancer.” These words bring a chill to the heart. Although great progress is being made in treating this disease recovery can be long and painful, and many people do not survive.

An enthusiastic believer in Christ, Dan Richardson, lost his battle with cancer, But his life demonstrated that even though the physical body may be destroyed by disease, the spirit can remain triumphant. This poem was distributed at his memorial service.

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot eat away peace,

It cannot destroy confidence,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot shut out memories

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot reduce eternal life,

It cannot quench the Spirit,

It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

If an incurable disease has invaded your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit. Your body can be severely afflicted, and you may have a great struggle. But if you keep trusting God’s love, your spirit will remain strong. – Dave Egner

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

The Bible In One year

Joshua 13 – 15

Hijackers terrorized the passengers aboard an Indian Airlines jet for 8 days. Then, on December 31, 1999, the gunmen issued a final demand before releasing their hostages. “Sorry, but everyone has to say that I am forgiven,” said the hijacker codename “Burger.” When the disbelieving passengers stared back at him, he ordered them to say, “I forgive you.” After hearing the words, the hijackers disappeared into the desert.

Not many of us would be so arrogant as to insist that someone forgive us. And we certainly wouldn’t demand that of God. Why? Because most people sense that His mercy and pardon can be received only by a humble, sincere, and repentant heart.

The apostle John wrote. “If we sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The word translated “confess” means “to speak the same thing or agree with.” When we confess our sins to God, we agree with Him about our sin, our need to be cleansed, and our need to forgive others who have wronged us (Matt. 6:15). We cry out, “Pardon me!”

None of us is truly free without forgiveness. We need God’s, and other need ours. – David McCasland

Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. – 1 John 1:3

The Bible In One year

Joshua 10 – 12

Is there such a thing as a superstar Christian who is so close to God or so godly that he can take time off in his relationship with God?

The idea sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? It’s absorb to think that our walk with God is anything but continual, everyday, all the time. But in reality, don’t we sometimes go our own way and neglect our fellowship with Him?

This principle has a parallel in the world of sports. Grant Hill, a superstar professional basketball player, made this comment about his off – season practice schedule: “I just didn’t feel that I could take a week off. When I take one day off, I feel like I’m lacking a bit.”

If we as Christians “take time off” from our relationship with God, we too will be “lacking a bit.” We will miss the guidance of His Word and the fellowship we experience in prayer. We will be more likely to forget our priorities and drift into forbidden areas that could lead to our downfall.

No matter how long you’ve been a child of God through faith in Christ, you need to guard your relationship with Him. It’s not just about going to church or having daily devotions. It’s a continual relationship. Taking time off will seriously weaken your walk. – Dave Branon